Shrine
Category
Brassware
Date
1800 - 1900
Materials
gilt, brass & paint
Measurements
140 x 90 x 65 mm
Order this imageCollection
Kedleston Hall, Derbyshire
NT 107449
Summary
A Chinese gilt bronze figure of the Medicine Buddha. The Medicine Buddha (Bhaishajyaguru), is particularly popular in Tibet, China and Japan and although he vows to give spiritual medicine, he is believed, by many, to also heal physical ailments. It is, therefore, not surprising that this small shrine would probably be in someone's home where they would be able to give offerings to the Buddha to ensure the health of all the family members. This figure is Sino-Tibetan in style, which means that although it was made in China, it follows Tibetan aesthetics. The Tibetan form of Buddhism has been popular in China during two dynasties, the first being the Yuan dynasty (1279-1368) and the second being the Qing dynasty (1644-1911), this piece dates from the latter. 'A wood shrine and Sino-Tibetan gilt-bronze figure' (Christie's entry)
Provenance
Purchased in 1986 by the National Heritage Memorial Fund from Francis Curzon, 3rd Viscount Scarsdale (1924-2000). Gifted to the National Trust in 1987 by the National Heritage Memorial Fund.